How to Clean a Hunting Dog’s Ears: 10 Simple Steps

Hunting dogs get ear problems faster than house pets. They push through briars, swim muddy water and work in rain, wind and cold. A dog that can’t hear your whistle or commands is harder to handle, and in big country it may have trouble finding its way back to you. Here’s how to clean a dog’s ears safely, and what signs mean it’s time to see the vet.

Signs your dog’s ears need attention

• Dark wax or debris, or brown crusty spots (often a sign of ear mites)
• Head shaking, scratching or rubbing its ears on the ground
• Redness, swelling or a bad smell
• Seeds, burrs or grass awns after a hunt

Smell, swelling, pain or discharge usually means an infection. See your veterinarian before you clean or treat the ear yourself; some problems, like a ruptured eardrum or a grass seed deep in the canal, need professional care. Ask your vet to recommend an ear cleaner or ear mite treatment.

How to clean your dog’s ears in 10 steps

1. Get a dog ear-cleaning solution recommended by your vet or a reputable pet supplier.
2. Make sure it’s at room temperature; cold liquid is uncomfortable.
3. Shake the bottle well.
4. Calm the dog. Pet it and get it relaxed before you start.
5. Lift the ear flap and gently squeeze cleaner into the ear canal.
6. Massage the base of the ear for 20–30 seconds to loosen wax and debris.
7. Step back and let the dog shake its head. It gets some of the liquid out and lets the dog feel it has a little control.
8. Wipe the inside of the ear flap and the opening of the canal with a cotton ball or gauze. Never push swabs down into the canal.
9. Give a treat and plenty of praise so ear cleaning stays a positive routine.
10. Repeat every week or two, and always check ears after a hunt or a swim.

Prevention beats treatment

Dry your retriever’s ears after water work, check floppy-eared hounds and spaniels often, and look for seeds and awns after every hunt. A quick weekly check takes a minute and can save a season. Browse our dog health supplies and keep a basic kit in the truck.

Keeping your dog healthy also means keeping it under control in the field. A reliable recall, helped by a remote training collar and a GPS tracking collar for big-running dogs, keeps it away from roads, water hazards and other dangers.